Will Atlantic City Fight for PILOT Fair Share As County Does Victory Lap?

Atlantic City tax assessments are still a mess, says Seth Grossman. A complicated process. A zero sum game. When Atlantic County wins…does Atlantic City lose? Will Mayor Frank Gilliam and Council President Marty Small fight back against this possible inequity? Can the State of NJ truly and consistently compensate the city for this PILOT loss?

Show notes: Paying fixed amount is typically a really bad thing. The PILOT has 2 years down, 8 years to go. Casinos collectively paying $130 million.

State says they’ll make up difference. But here’s problem: State can do a deal in 2018. But NJ State can’t make deal beyond one year. It’s also subject to appropriation (from NJ state)

Supreme Court OKed the current casino assessment method formula. Maybe AC can have a seat at the table, the next time taxation rules are either developed or amended?

If you have no seat at the table, you’re probably on the menu, says Grossman

In other Atlantic City financial news, the SAFER grant was not supported by NJ Gov. Murphy. Looks like the Atlantic City public safety just lost $6 million in monies. But what’s the real deal behind the SAFER grant?

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities.

The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments’ abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards.